Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Peter Walsh MP

Urgent Solution Needed on Seasonal Worker Border Ban

Resolution on the ban of seasonal workers crossing into and out of Victoria.

By Portal Admin - 2nd August 2020 - Back to News

An urgent solution is needed to resolve a ban on seasonal workers crossing into and out of Victoria from midnight tonight.

The ban is part of strict new border controls and has left Victoria’s horticulture sector concerned about the supply of labour for the future.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh wrote to Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes today calling for an urgent meeting of the nation’s Agriculture Ministers to deal with the issue.

"Seasonal workers are critical to the timely picking and packing of fruit and vegetables, and the increased demand on available labour is placing significant pressure on businesses," Mr Walsh said.

"The COVID crisis has also seen many overseas backpackers return home and ongoing restrictions on international travel into Australia will mean no new overseas workers coming into our country.

"Border closures have hamstrung the movement of the seasonal labour workforce and our farmers’ ability to get their produce harvested on time."

Mr Walsh said the request for the Minister to convene an out of session Agriculture Ministers Council meeting must be acted on immediately.

"The coronavirus crisis continues to put massive pressure on our horticulture sector," Mr Walsh said.

"The Minister must immediately take action to find a workable solution for our farmers that will ensure the movement of seasonal workers in a COVID safe manner.

"If these problems securing seasonal labour aren’t fixed, our farmers will struggle to meet demand for fresh fruit and vegetables."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

• The Nationals call for urgent public housing repairs as 147 Gippsland South properties remain vacant amid growing housing crisis
  The Nationals MP Danny O'Brien is calling for urgent repairs to 147 vacant public housing properties across Gippsland South, saying homes should be occupied amid the region's housing crisis.
• Darren Chester demands urgent Labor investment to fix dangerous Princes Highway and Gippsland arterial roads
  Darren Chester urged Labor governments to urgently fund Gippsland roads, citing dangerous conditions, poor maintenance and reduced investment while highlighting previous Coalition funding for highway and arterial road upgrades.
• Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
  The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
  Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities.
• Visa delays threaten regional harvest workforce as farmers and tourism employers demand urgent federal government action before summer
  Farmers, tourism operators and regional employers warn visa delays could cause critical workforce shortages during summer harvest and tourism periods, urging the Federal government to restore timely visa processing.
• New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
  Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment.
• Productivity Commission backs Peri Urban Councils' call for infrastructure before housing targets across Victoria
  The Productivity Commission has backed Peri Urban Councils Victoria's call to link housing targets with funded infrastructure, supporting development, coordinated planning and financing for 85,450 new homes across five Victorian growth councils.
• The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
  The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development.
• Labor Backpacker Visa changes leave farmers facing worker shortages and application burden
  The National Farmers’ Federation will lodge fast-track backpacker applications amid Working Holiday Maker cuts, as Coalition MPs criticise Labor’s changes and warn farmers face uncertainty securing seasonal workers during peak periods.